Getting all my Ducks in a Row: 2010-04-25

Friday, May 7, 2010

Aloha Friday # 30

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday.

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link Here.

My Question:
Do you check your bulk e-mail or just delete it?

I have found quite a few interesting things in my SPAM e-mail box all mixed up with all those crazy offers to make everything better, bustier, longer, and thinner. To the left of the announcement that my e-mail has been drawn for some mysterious Lotto was a great pitch from a well known company.

Under the blueberry giant (that spam ad works I totally want 4 pints of blueberries every day!!) and below the power wheelchair (got to keep that one in mind for way later in life) was a great e-mail that I won another giveaway. So I am just wondering....do you check your spam folder or just delete it?

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Thursday Morning Free Writing - Keep it to Yourself

I feel like as a Mother who has had all the children she is going too...I am now a magnet for other Mother's newborns. I an not sure if it is their sweet little baby sent wafting in the air or if I zero in on them but I just sigh with sweet baby memories of another time in my life.

A sweet little family came into the restaurant where I work a few weeks ago. This beautiful young couple had just had their very first tiny little baby. While waiting on them - I was finding it hard to concentrate on their service as I had to stop the flood of information that I wanted to pass along to this newbie Mom.

I wanted to tell them...

Spread those children out...when my kids got to about 10 months old I got this urge to have another baby. I think it's no surprise that that this is also about the age that they start pulling away - don't get me wrong - they still need you - but they have figured out that there is more around them than just you. But the truth of the matter is when you have your kids so close together - it's physically tiring...imagine a Mother of 3 trying to get groceries with a newborn, 2 year old and a 3 and a half year old. That was me! LOL - Imagine carrying all that weight - holding all those hands. Complete circus act. Now that they are a little older - I think it's just more mentally tiring. One of them always needs you to do something, be something or make something. They all talk a lot. They all talk at the same time. They all have questions and need help, inspiration and a Mother who has had her morning coffee.

Put one of those headbands on your little girl. You are missing a window of opportunity to instill in her that it's normal. I didn't do this. So when Miss Maddy's hair was finally long enough - and I started putting clips and bows in her hair...she just ripped them out...make it normal if you want to decorate their heads later.

Vacuum when your baby is sleeping. This one just sounds weird. When my kids were babies...I didn't shh anyone...I didn't turn off the ringer on the phone...or put one of those cute little baby is sleeping pillows on the front door. I never worried that they would be startled awake by the normal noise of the day - since they had to become accustomed to it as babies. Now my kids can blissfully sleep through just about anything.

Enjoy it - it flies by. We've all heard it before...probably said it too...but in the rush of life - to get it all done...we sometimes miss this simple step. Get down on the floor with your kids, take them to the park, chase lightening bugs, let a caterpillar walk along your arms so that your son will too, pick up a crayon instead of your iPhone, go for a walk, ride bikes with your kids, plant flowers, play trains and enjoy them when they are little.

I didn't tell them any of this though...I kept it to myself...why?

I didn't want to be that crazy lady who walked up to me in the grocery store - put her hands on my pregnant belly imploring me to make sure to give my baby enough tummy time.

She was right though - that's important too!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

My First Facebook Contest - TODAY @ 4 central!

I am Thinking about hosting a facebook party -- who wants to win a $25 Wal-mart gift card? We will go through the steps of my Pantene hair kit to find out what hair type we have ...party would be at 4:00 central. Let's see if we can get 25 people to participate...share this on facebook, twitter or blog for an extra chance to win tonight.

Wordless and Wordful Wednesday - A Look Back at the Week.

I love Wordless and Wordful Wednesday - It's a great chance to look back through my week in pictures and know that we are truly blessed!

I was so excited to take the pillow case dresses out of the closet for Miss Maddy - I bought these last year for this summer - while they are a little tiresome with their ribbon straps...they are undeniably cute!

I am thinking of doing a tea party for Miss Maddy's birthday in August...look at these cute silicone baking cups that I got from Kid's Cooking Shop - I am going to try these out this week. I think they will look pretty cute made up with lots of frosting.

Is there anything better than 3 brothers playing nicely? The boys have been so competitive and aggressive lately - that it really surprised me to see them all playing so sweetly together - They were encouraging too!

5 Minutes for Mom ~ Go Graham Go! ~ Jolly Mom ~ Look What Mom Found… ~ Mom of 3 Girls
~ Momspective ~ Momma Findings ~ Run DMT ~ A Daily Dose of Toni ~
Keeper of the Cheerios ~

Monday, May 3, 2010

It's my Day on the Food Blog and Show me Your Giveaway's!!

It's Tuesday - that means 2 things...

1. It's my day at:

Stop by and check out this great recipe from Tiffany @ eat at home.

I love her food blog - she is always cooking up meals that are fast, nutritious and yummy! Oh yeah - and I think she loves cheese as much as I do!

2. It's time to link up those great giveaway's that you have going on!!

Show Me Your Giveaway's!!

I love to enter and host giveaway's - I have a couple great ones coming up this week - but I would love to check yours out too!

Make sure to leave Blog Name/Prize/and end date.

Are you ready for more?

After having 3 boys (whom I love very much) I was blessed with one Princess of a daughter...Miss Maddy is such a beautiful and sweet little girl. She is almost 3 - and like everyone says - time is flying by - I want to be able to remember what she was like at this young age. I will never get these sweet tender moments back - before I know it she will be a little diva - knowing all the buttons to push and the rules to break...oh why can't they stay little girls forever.

Here's the lastest about Cristina Carlino and her campaign for
She Colors My Day - the now worldwide movement which embarks upon a global journey to create for a cure. Inspired by a mother's infinite love, this ever widening circle of caring will benefit Susan G. Komen for a Cure ® and The Entertainment Industry Foundation's Women's Cancer Research Fund.

To continue giving back to women everywhere, Cristina has published her first interactive journal, "The Changing Room: A Mother's Journal of Gratitude to Her Little Girl." This interactive journal by Cristina Carlino and YOU captures all those astonishing parenting moments before they fade into the swirl of everyday life. Throughout the book, Cristina shares her personal story and asks questions that inspire you to remember those first precious years of motherhood. This journal is a special place for your memories, drawings and letters. One day it will become a priceless keepsake for your daughter. (For more on The Changing Room, click onto this video link: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=107098785997769)

Cristina's friend, actress Mariska Hargitay is in love with the book, and she and Cristina have joined forces for her Joyful Heart Foundation, benefiting survivors of rape, incest and abuse. The neat thing is 100% of the net proceeds for The Changing Room will go to Joyful Heart.

Mariska says this about the book:

"This beautiful and rare journal is an expression of the exquisite and tender delight Cristina takes in motherhood. As if by magic, the journal opens doors into the most precious terrain where the miracles of childhood transform into memories large and small. What a gift to be led to this place of wonder, joy and gratitude. And we are so pleased that 100% of the net proceeds from this book are being donated to the Joyful Heart Foundation. Thank you, Cristina!"

To celebrate the season of mothers and the release of The Changing Room, Cristina is hosting a WISHES FOR MY LITTLE GIRL PHOTO CONTEST on her Facebook fan page (www.facebook.com/cristinacarlino). Five winners will receive a free copy of The Changing Room.

To enter Cristina's Wish and Photo Contest, Wishes for My Little Girl, click onto Cristina's Facebook Fan Page, and post your favorite photo of the little girl in your life -- it can be your daughter, a niece, a neighbor, the daughter of a friend. All our little girls need our wishes. Tell us of a big wish you have for this little wondrous person.Winners will be determined by the number of "Likes" they receive from other Cristina Carlino Fans, so invite your friends to Cristina's fan page and vote! Hurry! Contest ends on Monday, May 10th.

While all opinion expressed is my own...this post was written in hopes of receiving my own copy of The Changing Room. No compensation was given, needed or wanted. :)

Monday Mingle - Charities and Pan Handlers

Monday Mingle

hosts Monday Mingle...3 to 4 questions that you answer in the form of a vlog and then link back to her site.

I think it's a fun way to get to know some fellow blogger's and also a great way for you guys to get to know me a little better.

This WEEK'S QUESTIONS (submitted by Mrs. Cox's Slice o' Heaven):

1. If had the financial ability to donate $100,000 to a charity, which would it be and why?
2. Have you given money to a panhandler before?
3. Have you ever given your time at a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, etc. ?

Tracy's Blog - Sweet Harper Etsy Shop

Bora Bora Foods

NEXT WEEK'S QUESTIONS (submitted by Eighty MPH Mom - ACK I need more questions!) :
1. Currently, what are your top 3 favorite television shows?
2. What is one restaurant you wish you had in your area?
3. What do you feel is the toughest part of being a parent (even if you aren't one!)?

It Pays to Follow Blogs!!

I am participating in MailBox Monday @ A Frugal Friend. If you would like to join...click on the image below...and make sure to visit the other blogs and see what they got too!!

If you are nosy like me -- then you will probably enjoy this!!

Pretty slow week for me...knew it was coming though - hard to get freebies in the mail if you don't take the time each day to sign up for them. The Bora Bora bars are my favorite freebie of the week - I love love love the pistachio one!

Reading Material

Rolling Stone
Bloomberg Business Week

Free Samples and Coupons

McDonald's free Frappe coupons
Free product coupon 4 pack of YoPlus or YoPlus Light yogurt
Dunkin Donuts Dunkin Turbo coffee sample
DirecTV movie money - looks like a rebate for PPV movie
2 sets of Sweet Harper hair clips. One for making a purchase in April and another for being such a great customer! :)

Giveaway Wins

A Short Guide to a Happy Marriage book

Promotional Items for My Blog's

Bora Bora samples and lip balm for review.

I got exotic coconut almond, paradise walnut pistachio, wild pomegranate pecan, island Brazil nut almond and wild pomegranate lip balm.

If you would like to have a mailbox so full that it feels like Christmas every day...I suggest that you follow

It's Hip to Save

and

Free Sample Freak

and now -- my new blog for Giveaway's

Win My Year!!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

5 Winners!

I love sending out the You are a Winner e-mails almost as much as I love getting them myself...this morning I am going to notify 5 lucky Getting all my Ducks in a Row readers...thanks so much to everyone who took the time and effort to enter my Giveaway's - I will have new ones listed soon!

With 115 entries - the winner of the Seventh Generation Prize is:

Jessica said... 113: I started upcycling older clothes.

With 93 entries - the winner of the Funky Monkey Snacks is:

LoveMy2Dogs said...
76
Daily tweet

http://twitter.com/lovemy2doggies/status/12701909004

With 98 entries - the winner of their choice of sunglasses or a $20.00 gift certificate is:

jakiesmom said... 50: e-mail subscriber

With 207 entries - the winner of the Betty Crocker Bake Life Sweeter prize is:

Tracy R said... 114: I am following you on twitter and Betty Crocker on twitter @tracylr233.

I tweeted about this giveaway:

http://twitter.com/tracylr233/status/12368067036

With 66 entries the winner of the Carolina Pad Giveaway is:

Kelly said...
40
I learned that Sasquatch Brand products use less virgin wood products. (They are made of mostly recycled paper.) This means fewer trees are cut down and less water and fossil fuels are used during processing. Thanks for the chance!

I used Random.org to draw all winners - each winner will receive an e-mail from me and will have 48 hours to get back to me with shipping information or new winners will be drawn. Thanks so much for taking the time and effort to enter my giveaway's...I will have new ones posted soon.

Thanks so much to all the sponsors that provided such awesome giveaway items : My Blog Spark, Seventh Generation, Betty Crocker, Funky Monkey, Carolina Pad and Sunglass Warehouse!

Six Word Saturday - Silly is as Silly Does.

If you would like to JOIN IN -- Click on the image above and link up your post with 6 words describing your life!!

My Six Words:

It's just fun being silly sometimes.

Thursday Hubby and I took the day off work to go with our 2nd oldest son Av on his end of the year school field trip. His grade visited the Jasmine Moran Children's Museum. It was a lot of fun and they had so many new exhibits since the last time that I took my kids. I love love love hands on museums - they make learning so much more fun for children.

While there are a ton of things to do - the bubble room was first on my kids list! When I first walked in there was a kid who was dipping his hands into the soapy water - my first thought - hey stop that - but this kid knew what he was doing - if your hands are soapy and wet - you can actually push them through a bubble without breaking it. So awesome!!

E thought being inside a bubble was awesome! While at 5 he didn't have the patience needed to slowly pull the rope - he got a chance to stand in with some older kids that did!

How cool is that?

There were lots of fun things to do outside - from train rides to a pirate ship climbing structure...but my favorite was the large maze. I got flash backs of episodes of The Amazing Race while trying to find my way out.

Another great room was the funny mirrors...Miss Maddy and I had a blast playing in there! She just laughed and laughed at ourselves.

One of the best things about this children's museum is that they take real items and let kids go to town on them...from the cockpit of a real live airplane that has been attached to the side of the building:

To a old roadster:

My kids had an amazing time - I am so thankful that both Hubby and I were able to take the day off work to spend it with 3 of our 4 children. I wish that I didn't stress out so much though when we get into environments like this one. There were 3 schools visiting that day though and we were in charge of not only our 3 but once of Av's classmates as well. It was a bit overwhelming at times trying to keep my eyes on all 4 of them.

I also wish that there were more opportunities to meet the parents of my kids classmates...I always knew who they were before I started back to work but now I am having to meet them in places like these...and already being stressed by the sheer number of kids running circles around me - I am not sure that I made a very good first impression. While talking to one mother - I was not even able to look at her while talking - we were out by the pirate ship that was covered in children - think a slice of watermelon at a picnic covered in ants - she's calmly explaining whose Mom she is - and I am trying to be warm and inviting - but instead getting hot under the collar counting over and over - 1 2 3 4 - 1 2 3 4 - I wish that I was able to let go and relax - but I am constantly worried that my faster that me children are going to get away from me and either lost or hurt.

Have you ever visited a hands on children's museum? Have any idea's on how to relax more in places like this? I would love to hear them!